Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, is a medical condition that affects the lungs. When COPD is present, breathing becomes difficult or even painful. Many people suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease without realizing it.

Symptoms of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) isn't just one issue, but a collection of problems that cause lung damage. When the lungs are damaged, it can affect the entire respiratory system and your health as a whole.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can also worsen for a short period of time. These periods are known as COPD exacerbations.

During chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, the above symptoms can become more pronounced for a period of days or weeks, before subsiding. COPD symptoms typically get worse as the disease progresses.

COPD Causes

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has many different causes. Most COPD cases are gradual, rather than related to one specific instance. Some common causes of COPD include:

Other risk factors contribute to a person's likeliness of contracting COPD. These factors include age, as older people are likely to suffer from increased airway blockage, and genetics as one generation of a family suffering from COPD can put a later generation at risk.

Treatment for COPD

COPD treatment begins with tests to determine if the airway-blocking disease is present. Some of the different types of COPD tests include X-ray, CT scans, blood-gas analysis andpulmonary function test.

If chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is detected, treatment options are available. Unfortunately, lung damage cannot be reversed, but there are many different treatments designed to reduce or mitigate symptoms.

Types of COPD treatment include:

Medication: COPD medication includes steroids, bronchodilators and antibiotics. Most COPD medication is delivered through an inhaler.

Lung Therapy: Treatments such as oxygen therapy can be useful for patients suffering from COPD. These methods delivery increased oxygen levels to the lungs.

Surgery: In severe COPD cases, surgery may be required. Some of the most common COPD surgeries include lung volume reduction and lung transplant.